02.

03 Cycles Cloud Lab

Lab Objectives
Before doing this lab you should understand the hydrologic cycle.

After doing this lab you should be able to:

describe the processes of evaporation and condensation as they apply to cloud formation
relate air pressure to temperature and density
describe nucleation and its relationship to cloud formation

Materials
This is a hands-on lab experience in which you will learn about cloud formation.

You will need:

one two–liter plastic soda bottle that is "clear," so you can see through it (be sure the bottle has a cap)
book of matches (no lighters, please—they don't make smoke when turned off)
250 mL beaker (use a 2–4 cup clear measuring cup if you don't have beakers)
hot water
ice water (put some ice cubes in a container of water.)

Procedure
1. Trial #1: Pour 240 mL of cold water (about one cup) into a room temperature plastic bottle and then replace the cap. Shake the bottle for 30 seconds and then squeeze the bottle for several seconds to increase the
pressure. Release it and allow the air inside to expand. Squeeze and release several times as you watch the air in the bottle. What happens?
2. Trial #2: Unscrew the cap from the bottle. Light a match, blow it out, and then hold the smoking match inside the tilted bottle for about three seconds. Quickly replace the cap before the smoke escapes. Shake the
bottle for 30 seconds. Squeeze and release as you did in Trial #1. What happens to the smoke and the air?
3. Trial #3: Empty the cold water from the bottle and pour 240 mL(about one cup) of hot water into it. Replace the cap, and shake the bottle for 30 seconds. Squeeze, release, and observe as you did in Trial #1.
4. Trial #4: Unscrew the cap from the bottle. Light a match, blow it out, and then hold the smoking match inside the tilted bottle for about three seconds. Quickly replace the cap, and then shake, squeeze, release, and
observe as in Trial #1.

Reflection Questions:
1. Which of your four trials had the best cloud formation? Explain why.
2. Did the cloud appear when you squeezed the bottle, creating high pressure on the air in the bottle, or when you released it, creating low pressure? Explain why.
3. Describe the parts of the hydrologic cycle that took place in your best trial. Use the correct terminology.
4. In your experiment, what were the condensation nuclei?
5. Why did the cloud go away when you squeezed the bottle? Use the word "dew point" in your response.
6. As air rises in the atmosphere, is it compressed, or does it expand? (Hint: Does it get warmer or colder as it rises?)

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